“It’s important to be able to pose questions to them, get insight and also be able to answer questions they may have on how health reform will impact physicians in Wichita and throughout Kansas.”

Rosell, society president Dr. Bart Grelinger and vice president Dr. Donna Sweet were among the local group, and they also attended the American Medical Association’s Presidents Forum and National Advocacy Conference.

Among the issues discussed with Kansas senators and House members were Medicare reimbursements, the impact of the Affordable Care Act on physicians, funding for medical school graduates and tort reform in cases of medical malpractice.

“Everything seems to need more money but the system needs to find a place to cut, so the discussion was where to cut back and what was important to move forward,” Grelinger said.

“The process is very exciting, going to the Hill and voicing your opinion, but it’s clearly very convoluted, mired in details and posturing, and at the end of the day, you wonder — once see how big of a machine it is — how much voice you have. But if you don’t stand up, you’ll never be recognized at all,” Grelinger said.

Rosell said society officials have made annual trips to D.C. for several years.